For many in grounds maintenance, particularly those looking after public spaces, summer can be a trickier period than most for turf care and maintenance regimes.
Not only do hotter temperatures bring issues around maintenance with challenging watering regimes and grass growing rapidly, but it’s also a period of increased footfall and visitor numbers – all at the same time as trying to keep everything looking its best for visitors to enjoy!
With people venturing out to enjoy the great outdoors of parks, National Trust houses and country estates, public areas of grass and nature will become more used than usual. While it is of course fantastic to see so many people out and about, enjoying the beauty of the great outdoors, this can result in bare patches – a groundskeeper’s nightmare!
Or you may already have a damaged lawn that you are looking to repair to get things at their best for visitors.
It may be that you are looking to remove an entire patch of lawn to make way for another feature area, patio space or flowerbed and are seeking a quick and easy way of doing so.
While there are a number of things that can be done to limit the damage, like feeding and seeding, often the only solution is to replace the grass or patches of it. This, known as sod removal, isn’t as onerous as it may sound!
When done properly, with the right prep and the right tools like the incredibly powerful range of Billy Goat sod cutters, sod removal can be a very simple task. There are just a few things to remember first to give a perfect finish and remove all traces of damage.
The first step in prep is watering. Before you remove the turf, prepare the soil by giving it a thorough watering a few days beforehand.
The ideal is for it to be not too wet or not too dry, so watering a few days before removing gives the soil chance to soften without being drenched. Moisture will make it easier to cut the sod, and will help the grass survive transplanting, but avoid getting it too wet so as not to create a boggy effect which will be hard to lift.
Give the lawn a mow the day before to get the grass to its lowest height, this will make it easier and lighter when it comes to cutting.
Now it’s time to get cutting!
When removing the existing turf, make sure you remove a thin layer of soil with it. This will help make sure the surface is level and that new turf laid on top will grow evenly, and blend seamlessly with the existing grass. To do this make sure the blade on your sod cutter is low enough. For a smooth finish, make sure you don’t leave gaps between passes, by cutting thin strips you remove the chance of stripes left in between but also help to remove the weight of the rolls of grass you will have to remove afterwards.
To get a clean cut at the end of each strip, release the clutch and speed control levers and let the sod cutter come to a stop. Raise the blade to its maximum height, then engage both the clutch and speed control levers. This pulls the blade up through the soil, slicing off the end of the strip.
Our SC18 Series is the perfect companion for sod removal thanks to its powerful Honda engine and robust drive and cut system. Its variable speed hydrostatic transmission allows you to match the cutting speed to the ground condition you’re dealing with and its specially designed wheels create a softer touch, meaning the surrounding grass will remain in good condition!
The SC18 also come equipped with a rear caster wheel for curved cuts. It also locks to ensure straight cutting, making it an invaluable tool for cutting irrigation channels, landscapes and sports fields – especially golf courses. Plus, its handle isolation mounts absorb all of the vibrations, making use smooth and fatigue-free.
We’ve got a range of world-class equipment here at Billy Goat, for a wide range of property clean-up needs, so you can keep outdoor spaces looking their best, no matter how big or small!
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